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Funeral services for John C. Travis, 92, of Mound City will be at 2 PM, Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. Burial will be at 12:30 PM MT Friday at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. John passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby.

John Clemence Travis was born July 29, 1929 to John Quincy and Eleanor Marie (Falcon) Travis on the family farm near Marion, Iowa. He liked to remind his twin sister, Joan that he was an hour older. In 1942 his family moved to a ranch near Holabird, SD. In 1946 his family moved to Sturgis, SD. John then became friends with the boys who gathered at Hoyles Motorcycle shop and was soon riding an Indian motorcycle. Clarence Hoyle organized a three-day motorcycle race every July. John and his friends started the "Jackpine Gypsys" motorcycle club and planned a trail ride through the Black Hills during the races each year.

John was tired of school when his twin sister went off to college, but was looking for something interesting to do. He and one his friends decided to travel south for the winter looking for work. They did everything from washing dishes to picking cotton all the way from California to Texas. They arrived at John's grandfather Falcon's winter home in San Antonio, Texas in the spring and borrowed enough money to get back home again. John then became employed for a few years at Homestake Mine in Lead, SD. Being tired of the winter weather, John moved to Los Angles, California and worked at Douglas Aircraft. Shortly after, John was drafted into the Army. Due to his experience blasting gold out of rocks, he was sent to France to replace roads and bridges damaged during WW2. While stationed in France he and a buddy took every opportunity to travel around Europe including visiting the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London.

When John joined civilian life, his little sister was attending SDSU and John began college. John met Jean's roommate Joyce Opheim, a farmer's daughter from Mound City, SD. On June 28, 1958 John and Joyce were married in Sioux Falls, SD. In June of 1959, John was proud to tell his school teacher mother that at least he made it through college before he reached the age of 30.

Joyce's parents talked them into moving to the family farm near Mound City, so her dad could retire. John then taught chemistry and shop classes in Selby High School. When the postmaster at Mound City retired, John was appointed to this position.  John and Joyce then moved to Mound City with their two kids, John Jr. and Joy Lynn.

John is survived by his son, John Jr. (Tomi) of Mound City. Two granddaughters, Heather Travis of Mound City and Jennifer Travis of Aberdeen, SD. Great grandson, Alex and great granddaughter Layla and one sister,Jean Opheim of McMinnville, Oregon.

John is preceded in death by his wife Joyce, daughter Joy Lynn, twin sister Joan Dyer, his parents John Quincy and Eleanor (Falcon) Travis.